Week Four finds River with a 2-1 record and finally docking at the friendly confines of Martin Flannery Field. Friday’s home opener against cross-river rival Magnolia though will be more than just the 2020 debut of the home uniforms. River’s $2.6 million fieldhouse upgrade is nearing completion and will be ready for use prior to kickoff. It’s a huge upgrade, one that runs the width of and overlooks the south end zone of the stadium. “Our fieldhouse originally was built back in 1950s with one small addition made in the 1980s,” said Mark Romick, River’s athletics director. “It was running about 40-50 years old and it was due for a major upgrade. “The board of education saw fit to put money into a lot of different upgrades in the district and our fieldhouse was one of those things.” Calling this upgrade “slight’ would be a severe disservice to what River has built. It’s the crowing piece on what’s been a multi-year, major overhaul to the facility. Upgrades include the new turf field, home and away bleachers, press box, and now the fieldhouse. The facility, which seats roughly 3,000 pre-COVID restrictions, would rival many a small-college facility. “The fieldhouse is kind of state of the art in what’s inside,” “Romick said. “For a Division VI school in Ohio, I don’t think you’ll find a much better facility.” Fieldhouse in Depth The main walls are all that remain of old facility. It’s more than doubled in size. There is also now a second floor. Read the full article